The United States was among the first foreign nations to move in to help the Philippines in the wake of Typhoon Haiyan's devastation. The US has long had close, though not always happy, ties with the island nation.

Vietnam is becoming increasingly technologically connected -- and many Vietnamese are becoming increasingly unhappy with their government's restrictions on them. The United States, however, has been largely silent, seeing an opportunity to connect with an important Pacific Rim country.

Hundreds dead, a similar number missing and thousands upon thousands are homeless after an off-season, off-track typhoon roared across the island nation of the Philippines. Over the weekend it threatened to criss-cross the island again, before ultimately dissipating.